Safe
Boating Through Education
ALL Courses
ARE NOW available to USPS members (AT A USPS MEMBER
DISCOUNT) AND NON-MEMBERS (GENERAL PUBLIC AT THE STANDARD FEE)
An IMPORTANT anouncement:
aLL NNJSPS COURSES ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC WITHOUT
USPS MEMBERSHIP. WE DO NOT REQUIRE USPS MEMBERSHIP TO ATTEND OUR
ADVANCED BOATING COURSES.
The advanced grades are a series of navigational courses
and completion of the highest level course determines a member's "grade". Letter
grades may appear in print or on a member's uniform.
Seamanship
Grade: S 
Building on the basics taught in the USPS Boating courses, Seamanship is
the recommended first course for new members, both powerboaters and
sailors. The student learns practical marlinespike, navigation rules,
hull design and performance, responsibilities of the skipper, boat
care, operating a boat under normal and abnormal conditions, what
to do in various emergencies and weather conditions, nautical customs
and common courtesy on the water. This course provides an introduction
to the USPS educational program and a strong foundation for the other
Advanced Grades courses (see below), and the Elective Courses Cruise
Planning and Basic Sail.
Piloting
Grade: P
Piloting introduces the fundamentals of piloting and positioning
-- the study of marine charts, aids to navigation, adjustment and
use of the mariner's compass, dead reckoning, planning and plotting
courses, and taking bearings to determine on-the-water position.
 is
worn when the wearer has passed both Seamanship and Piloting.
Advanced
Piloting Grade: AP 
Advanced Piloting builds on the knowledge gained in Piloting to
teach how to navigate safely in coastal waters -- predict tides and
tidal currents and their impact on boat position, advanced positioning
techniques, and the use of electronic navigation systems for positioning
and course planning.
Junior
Navigator Grade: JN 
Junior Navigation begins the study of offshore (open-ocean)
navigation -- integrated electronic positioning systems, sight taking
with a mariner's sextant on the sun, moon, planets, and stars, how
to reduce sights using the nautical almanac to determine position,
and passage planning with special open-ocean charts.
Navigator
Grade: N 
Navigation further develops the understanding of celestial
navigation theory and the skills in sight taking and reduction --
additional sight reduction techniques and the orderly methods of
carrying on the day's work of a navigator at sea. Of particular interest
and importance is the study of offshore navigation using minimal
data and/or equipment, such as when on a disabled vessel or lifeboat.
A wide discipline of courses that cover topics other
than navigation are also offered as part of the instructed course
curriculum for
members.
Cruise
Planning
This course is preparation for a cruise, whether the cruise is for
a day, a week, a month or longer. Whether you are going to cruise
on rivers, lakes, the coasts, or across the oceans, very valuable
information is provided by those who have been there. The topics
discussed are: planning the voyage, financing the voyage, equipping
the boat, crew selection, provisioning, voyage management, navigation
planning, weather, communications, entering and clearing foreign
and domestic ports, anchors and anchoring, emergencies afloat, medical
emergencies and security.
Engine
Maintenance 101
This course module, Basic Engine Maintenance,
provides information about marine propulsion systems, basic engine
principles, engine
components; controls, instruments and alarms, marine engine maintenance
and steering systems. There is a chapter on winter storage
and spring servicing that includes a 25 step winterizing checklist.
Engine
Maintenance 102
This course module, Advanced Engine Maintenance,
delves into cooling and exhaust systems, lubrication, fuel and air
induction
systems, ignition systems, electrical and starting systems, power
trains, and trouble shooting. It concludes with chapter on
emergency repairs afloat.
Instructor Development
Unlike other USPS courses, the Instructor Development
course is not designed to enhance boating skills. Rather, its emphasis
is on enhancing instructor skills. The course has been designed
to demonstrate interactive teaching methods focused on adult learning. Students
are required to prepare lesson plans and give four presentations
to their peers utilizing a variety of teaching aids and presentation
skills. Each presentation is to be given on a topic from on
of the public boating classes with the intent that upon completion
of the course every student will be qualified to teach or proctor
at a squadron boating class.
Marine
Electronics
The
Marine Electronics course consists of three modules: ME 101,
Boat Electrical Systems, ME 102, Marine Radio Communications,
and
ME 103, Marine Electronics for Navigation. There are no prerequisites
for any of these modules: however, it is suggested that a member
take ME 101 before taking ME
102. All three modules must be successfully completed to receive
credit for Marine Electronics.
ME
101
Boat
Electrical Systems, provides information about properties of
electricity, electrical power requirements and wiring practices,
direct current power, alternating current power, galvanic
and
stray-current corrosion, lightning protection, and electrical
interference.
ME
102
Marine Radio Communications, delves into radio
waves and transmitters, receivers and transceivers, antennas
and transmission
lines, FCC Rules and Regulations, FCC Frequency Plan, marine radiotelephone
operating procedures, and other communication services (Emergency
Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), Digital Selective Calling
(DSC), Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), satellite
communications, amateur radio, and more).
ME
103
Marine Electronics for Navigation, presents information
on depth sounders, RADAR, LORAN-C, GPS Navigation, and two new
chapters: Electronic Charting, and Computer-Assisted Navigation
(CAN). Members may take this module independent of any other ME
module.
Sail
101
This course module, Basic Sail, provides a thorough study
of the terminology of sailing; as well as information on the following
subjects: sailboat rigs, sail plans, boat design and hull types,
sails, standing rigging, running rigging, wind, preparing to sail,
sailing upwind, sailing downwind, docking and anchoring, marlinespike
seamanship, navigation rules.
Sail
102
This course module, Advanced Sail, provides information on
the following subjects: wind forces, stability, balance, sail shape,
tuning the rig, steering and helmanship, spinnaker handling, heavy
weather sailing, storm conditions, sailing safety, sailboat racing,
race management, navigation rules.
Weather
Course Description
This weather course will furnish basic weather knowledge
for safer and more enjoyable boating. The student will learn
to make weather predictions based upon observations of the sky, upon
barometer
and wind information, as well as weather data provided by maps, satellite
images, and radio and TV broadcasts. Wx 101 and Wx
102 use a USPS supplement manual together with The Weather
Book from USA Today (second edition, 1997) as the textbook.
Wx
101
This course module, Basic Weather, provides information
about the effects of Heat and Cold, wind and pressure, storms and
fronts, rain, humidity, and fog, floods droughts, and winter precipitation.
Wx
102
This course module, Advanced Weather, provides information
about thunderstorms and tornadoes, tropical weather atmosphere
and clouds, forecasting and climate.
This material may be ordered by the public by calling 1-888-FOR-USPS.
USPS members please order this material, at a reduced rate, through
your Supplemental Program Chairperson or your SEO
Amateur
Radio - This program informs members
of the procedures for obtaining radio licensing, and it includes
other related information regarding shipboard radio.
Boat Insurance -Providing
information on the types and availability of insurance for boaters, this
program addresses basic homeowner's coverage, additional coverage and
yacht policies.
Calculators for Navigation -
A guide to the use of pocket calculators for the tedious computations
related to navigation from coastal piloting to celestial navigation
Compass
Adjusting - This program describes "every
method known to man" for the skipper of a boat with a plastic, wood
or aluminum hull to determine a vessel's precise heading, in sunny or
foul weather. The use of the pelorus and the manipulation of
compass corrector magnets are also included.
Elements of Boat Design & Construction - Basic
factors influencing design and shape of hulls, the effect of horsepower
and propellers, rudders, steering gear and related maters are covered
in this program.
Global Positioning System - GPS
is the premier worldwide electronic navigational aid. Both handheld
and ship-mounted units are becoming low in price; it's easy to use and
the accuracy is impressive. The GPS Supplemental Program includes
accuracy comparisons with Loran-C and Digital GPS.
Introduction to Astronomy - A
pleasant, non-technical introduction to the wonders of the night sky. No
prior familiarity with astronomy is needed to enjoy this easy-to-read
guide to stars, planets and major constellations.
Introduction to Sailing - This
program covers the basics of small sailboat handling, including nomenclature,
relationship of wind to moving boat, action of the keel or centerboard,
leeway, lee and weather helm.
Knots, Bends, and Hitches
(Marlinespike) - This manual is a practical
guide to tying a variety of useful and decorative knots, bends, hitches
and splices.
Oceanography - This program covers
marine geography including Earth crusts, tectonic plates, fractures and
movement, ocean chemistry, the effect of weather on water, the physical
aspects of tides, currents and waves and marine ecology.
Plotting
and Labeling Standards - Describes nautical
plotting and labeling techniques and provides recommended standards for
navigational use.
Predicted Log Contest -
The first part of this program is an introduction to logging, and the
second part is for the experienced logger.
Radar
- Experts believe that after a compass, a depth
sounder and a VHF radiotelephone radar is the next most important aid
to consider. Today's radar is easy to install, compatible with
fairly small boas and convenient to use day and night.
Sight Reduction Methods - A
self-instruction guide to five popular methods of sight reduction:
law of Cosines, Nautical Almanac (NASR), Modified Ageton, HO-229 and
HO-249.
Skipper Saver - A
blend of two USPS objectives - education and safety - this program helps
students acquire basic boat handling ability without frills of superfluous
information.
Water Sports - A how-to
guide for water-skiing, board sailing, and personal watercrafts.
CLASS
SCHEDULES FOR NNJSPS COURSES [TOP]
Fall 2014
Course Schedule
| Course |
Dates |
pre-req |
FEE
** |
chairman |
| Seamanship (S) |
Thursdays starting
Oct 16 |
None |
$60-M
$80-NM |
P/Lt/C Peter Scudder,
AP Phone: 973-743-0601
email :
Peter Scudder |
|
Piloting (P)
* |
Tuesdays starting
Oct 14 |
Seamanship |
$75-M
$95-NM |
D/Lt/C
Robert Phillips, SN
201-791-0120
email :
Robert Phillips |
| Advanced Piloting (AP) * |
Tuesdays starting
Oct 14 |
Piloting |
$80-M
$100-NM |
D/Lt/C
Robert Phillips, SN
201-791-0120
email :
Robert Phillips |
|
Weather |
Wednesdays starting
Oct 15 |
None |
$75-M
$95-NM |
Lt/C
Bill Cinque, SN
973-228-4145
email :
Bill Cinque |
** M
- USPS MEMBER DISCOUNTED FEE
NM - NON-MEMBER STANDARD FEE
* - Either Piloting or
Advanced Piloting (but not both) will be offered depending on
sufficient enrollment.
The Squadron policy is to offer any course which has 4 or more
students enrolled. If you would like an additional course, PLEASE
contact the Squadron Education Officer (SEO) or the Assistant
Squadron Education Officer (Asst' SEO) and express your interest.
Registration for Fall 2014 classes:
Please phone or email to Course Chairman listed above or the
Squadron SEO or Ass't SEO listed below. Please don't delay, the
registration deadline is Tuesday, September 26th to allow sufficient
time to obtain the course materials prior to the 1st class.
CLICK HERE for detailed
NNJSPS Course Descriptions (PDF) and information.
Any questions; please contact either the :
Squadron Education Officer SEO
Lt/C Bill Cinque,
SN
Phone:
973-228-5329
Email:
Bill Cinque
Assistant Squadron Education Officer Ass't SEO
P/C Joel Stoesser, SN
Phone: 973-492-3849
E mail:
Joel
Stoesser
Classes are held at the squadron headquarters,
St. Agnes Church, 65 Union Avenue, Little Falls, NJ.
All courses begin at 1930 (7:30 PM) unless otherwise noted
® The USPS Ensign
(Flag Design), "Wheel-and-Flag Design", "Officer
Trident Design", "United State Power Squadrons", "USPS", "The
Ensign", "the Squadron" with flag graphic, "Boat
Smart", "Jet Smart", and "America's Boating
Club" are registered trademarks of United States Power
Squadrons.
|
| |
|
